NICE PANTS : Co-leader Haeji Kang of South Korea lines up a putt on the 18th hole yesterday at the women’s British Open. Photo: AP

NBA: Childress signs with Nets

The Nets officially signed forward Josh Childress yesterday to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, bringing the roster to 15 players. They are expected to sign two or three more players to participate in training camp. Childress fills a significant need as backup to Gerald Wallace at small forward. It initially appeared the Nets would sign Donte Greene to play that role, but Childress entered the picture after Greene injured his ankle in a pickup game last month.

The Lakers said center Dwight Howard won’t finish his rehabilitation from back surgery in time for the start of training camp on Oct. 2 or Los Angeles’ first preseason game five days later.

Derrick Rose said his surgically repaired left knee is getting better and he is even jumping on it. The Bulls point guard started doing that “a couple of days ago,” another step in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during the playoffs. He is rehabilitating five days a week in an effort to return sometime this season after the devastating injury.

GOLF: Pair lead women’s British Open

In Holylake, England, South Koreans Haeji Kang and So Yeon Ryu shot 2-under-par 70s, giving them a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Women’s British Open. Twenty-six players were within two shots of the lead and nine were a stroke back.

In Fiano, Italy, Joel Sjoholm of Sweden shot an 8-under 64 to take a one stroke lead after the first round of the Italian Open.

NCAA: Price of doing business is steep

Nebraska is paying Arkansas State $1 million for playing at Memorial Stadium tomorrow — the highest amount ever guaranteed to an opponent for a game in Lincoln. Athletic director Tom Osborne said in an email to the Associated Press the price is the “going rate” for many teams to play an away game with no return engagement.

ETC.: Pacquiao-Marquez IV getting closer

Manny Pacquiao is expected to return to the ring on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas for a fourth fight against long-time rival Manuel Marquez.